Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Christian Brothers Sacred Bond – Bottled in Bond American Brandy
Product Story
Christian Brothers distill their fine Brandy in copper alembic stills just like they do in Cognac, for their great "Sacred Bond" Brandy. The grapes are all California grown and the spirit is produced from one season's harvest that is fermented into wine before distillation. The new spirit is then rested in American white oak barrels. "Bottled-in-Bond" spirits, like this one, must be aged in wood for a minimum of four years and bottled at no less than 50% alcohol by volume under careful government supervision. The Christian Brothers Sacred Bond is a great addition to their super lineup of delicious and unpretentious California Brandy.
Brand Story
Christian Brothers Brandy was founded in 1882 in California's San Joaquin Valley. At that time Brandy was part of the pharmaceutical spirits market. However, even with the medicinal status the Christian Brothers distillery was impacted greatly by Prohibition. There was no legal production of Brandy in California for much of Prohibition. After the Repeal of Prohibition odd laws were born including a California law that mandated via the grape-prorate law that every producer of grapes must distill 45% of their crops to be aged for two years. Odd indeed but this does explain why California is the home of US Brandy production. By the 1960s Brandy consumption was up 400% since repeal and 75% of the Brandy was coming out of California.
Tasting Note
Brilliant amber, crystal clear. The nose is rich with the scents of red and black berries with notes of plum, vanilla bean, fig, nougat, marzipan, allspice, and black currant jam. The palate fully confirms the nose delivering a rich, fruit-focused core with waves of sweet vanilla, brown baking spices, and spicy/sweet oak. Being bottled at 50% abv it is quite intense while still being very nuanced and complex with perfect balance and great length.
How to Serve
Sip over ice or neat with a splash of water. The cocktail possibilities are endless while a Brandy Crusta seems to be an obvious choice followed by a Wisconsin style Brandy Old Fashioned.
Price: $ 24.99
BevX Review: See the BevX Review
